Buccaneers at Cardinals: Five Game-Changing Players

Larry Fitzgerald

At 33 years old, Larry Fitzgerald is still one of the top receivers in the league. He proved as much in week one against the Patriots, catching eight passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. He’s coming off of a year in which he totaled 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s a big threat for the Arizona offense, and one that can make a difference in any game he’s in.

The Bucs did an admirable job last week against Atlanta’s Julio Jones. Jones was held to 66 yards and a touchdown on just four catches by a Tampa Bay secondary that’s still looking to come together. But, there were some coverage breakdowns against Jones and Mohamed Sanu that made the pass defense look vulnerable. The veteran connection between Carson Palmer and Fitzgerald will be looking to feast on that vulnerability come Sunday afternoon.

Fitzgerald can be especially dangerous during clutch time. On the Cardinals’ potential game-winning drive against New England, he caught three passes for 46 yards. He was a big part of a drive that set up what could’ve been a game-winning 47-yard field goal. If the Bucs find themselves locked in a tight game during the fourth quarter on Sunday, extra attention will have to be given to stopping Fitzgerald.

Next: Charles Sims